PlayStation Reveals Gamer Behavior: Power Off vs. Rest Mode

A surprising statistic reveals that half of PlayStation 5 users bypass the console's rest mode, opting for a complete system shutdown instead. This finding, shared by Cory Gasaway, Sony Interactive Entertainment's VP of game, product, and player experiences, highlights a significant user preference divergence. The data, uncovered during an interview with Stephen Totilo, influenced the design of the PS5's Welcome Hub, a feature introduced in 2024 aimed at creating a more unified user experience across diverse preferences.

Rest mode, a key feature touted pre-launch by Jim Ryan, emphasizing Sony's environmental commitment, was expected to reduce energy consumption. However, the 50/50 split between rest mode users and those who power down completely underscores that energy efficiency isn't the sole determining factor for user behavior.

The Welcome Hub, initially conceived during a PlayStation hackathon, directly addresses this split. Gasaway explained that the hub's design, presenting either the PS5 Explore page (for US users) or the last played game (for international users), aims to provide a consistent and customizable starting point.

While no single reason explains the preference for complete shutdown over rest mode, anecdotal evidence suggests potential issues with internet functionality for some users. Others, however, report no such problems. Regardless of the cause, Gasaway's insights offer valuable context into the PS5's user interface design considerations. The data clearly demonstrates the need for flexible and adaptable features to cater to a broad spectrum of user habits and technical experiences.